Biomaterial Database

Glycan-based high-affinity ligands for toxins and pathogen receptors. 2010

Ashish A Kulkarni, and Alison A Weiss, and Suri S Iyer

UC Chemical and Biosensors Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0172, USA.

Glycans decorate over 95% of the mammalian cell surface in the form of glycolipids and glycoproteins. Several toxins and pathogens bind to these glycans to enter the cells. Understanding the fundamentals of the complex interplay between microbial pathogens and their glycan receptors at the molecular level could lead to the development of novel therapeutics and diagnostics. Using Shiga toxin and influenza virus as examples, we describe the complex biological interface between host glycans and these infectious agents, and recent strategies to develop glycan-based high-affinity ligands. These molecules are expected to ultimately be incorporated into diagnostics and therapeutics, and can be used as probes to study important biological processes. Additionally, by focusing on the specific glycans that microbial pathogens target, we can begin to decipher the "glycocode" and how these glycans participate in normal and aberrant cellular communication.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007700	Kinetics	The rate dynamics in chemical or physical systems.
D008024	Ligands	A molecule that binds to another molecule, used especially to refer to a small molecule that binds specifically to a larger molecule, e.g., an antigen binding to an antibody, a hormone or neurotransmitter binding to a receptor, or a substrate or allosteric effector binding to an enzyme. Ligands are also molecules that donate or accept a pair of electrons to form a coordinate covalent bond with the central metal atom of a coordination complex. (From Dorland, 27th ed)	Ligand
D008956	Models, Chemical	Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of chemical processes or phenomena; includes the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment.	Chemical Models,Chemical Model,Model, Chemical
D009975	Orthomyxoviridae	A family of RNA viruses causing INFLUENZA and other respiratory diseases. Orthomyxoviridae includes INFLUENZAVIRUS A; INFLUENZAVIRUS B; INFLUENZAVIRUS C; INFLUENZAVIRUS D; ISAVIRUS; and THOGOTOVIRUS.	Influenza Viruses,Myxoviruses,Orthomyxoviruses,Influenza Virus,Myxovirus,Orthomyxovirus
D011108	Polymers	Compounds formed by the joining of smaller, usually repeating, units linked by covalent bonds. These compounds often form large macromolecules (e.g., BIOPOLYMERS; PLASTICS).	Polymer
D011134	Polysaccharides	Long chain polymeric CARBOHYDRATES composed of MONOSACCHARIDES linked by glycosidic bonds.	Glycan,Glycans,Polysaccharide
D002236	Carbohydrate Conformation	The characteristic 3-dimensional shape of a carbohydrate.	Carbohydrate Linkage,Carbohydrate Conformations,Carbohydrate Linkages,Conformation, Carbohydrate,Conformations, Carbohydrate,Linkage, Carbohydrate,Linkages, Carbohydrate
D002450	Cell Communication	Any of several ways in which living cells of an organism communicate with one another, whether by direct contact between cells or by means of chemical signals carried by neurotransmitter substances, hormones, and cyclic AMP.	Cell Interaction,Cell-to-Cell Interaction,Cell Communications,Cell Interactions,Cell to Cell Interaction,Cell-to-Cell Interactions,Communication, Cell,Communications, Cell,Interaction, Cell,Interaction, Cell-to-Cell,Interactions, Cell,Interactions, Cell-to-Cell
D002648	Child	A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL.	Children
D006023	Glycoproteins	Conjugated protein-carbohydrate compounds including MUCINS; mucoid, and AMYLOID glycoproteins.	C-Glycosylated Proteins,Glycosylated Protein,Glycosylated Proteins,N-Glycosylated Proteins,O-Glycosylated Proteins,Glycoprotein,Neoglycoproteins,Protein, Glycosylated,Proteins, C-Glycosylated,Proteins, Glycosylated,Proteins, N-Glycosylated,Proteins, O-Glycosylated